The Backstretch Blog: NASCAR needs to go soft

August 16, 2011|By HEATHER WILLIAMS | Eyewitness Sports

Why in the year 2011 doesn't every NASCAR sanctioned track have safer barriers (also known as soft walls)?

I mean did you see that last lap crash started by Boris Said that slammed David Ragan and David Reuttiman into walls with no safer barriers? Surethey both walked away. But that doesn't negate the fact that NASCAR is playing with fire by continuing to race at tracks that don't have the latest safety features.

"It's a shame that a race track that we go to in 2011 doesn't have a better wall design all the way around the racetrack," Ragan said after the race. "But hopefuly they will look at that. I've been to some dirt tracks that have better walls then that."

And the Davids weren't the only one to have a frightening encounter with the wall at Watkins Glen. Earlier in the race Denny Hamlin had something break in his car and it went straight into the wall at full speed. He said after the race it was the most scared he had ever been in a race car and later tweeted,"I'm ok.. I don't know what broke but that was one of the hardest hits I've ever had."

Luckily for him there was a tire barrier at the point of his impact. But really NASCAR can not continue to rely on luck to protect its drivers. Not when there is technology that can do the job. And I realize there is an expense involved. But 10 years after the death of it's superstars it's hard to imagine why this sport wouldn't mandate better protection for it's drivers especially at tracks where it sanctions events.

Five time champion Jimmie Johnson posted this on his twitter account after Monday's race: " I'm glad the 00 and the 6 were alright. Blunt angle walls are NFG. I wish tracks would find these things before drivers do."

And Nationwide series driver Elliot Sadler added on his twitter page, "I'm speaking first hand.... Would love to see safer barriers at all NASCAR tracks.... It is 2011"

Jeff Burton, who is new to the twitterverse, also spoke out, "We need 2 look at the wall angles, and make some changes. All tracks have spent a fortune on softer walls. We need to keep working."

Agreed Jeff the sport must keep working, and it might be time for NASCAR to take a hard line stance, before someone gets seriously hurt. Maybe even stop going to tracks that don't voluntarily make the upgrades need. Because there will be more crashes like the ones we saw this weekend.

"As fast as we're going you know were gonna hit stuff pretty hard," said Reuttiman. "I'm thinking where I hit would be a good place for a safer barriers so maybe we should look into that next time we come back."

The good news is there are reports that Watkins Glen is now looking into getting softer walls. But I'm with Jimmie we cant keep waiting until after the big wreak. Because by then someone might get really hurt, or worse.

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